AQA GCSE Syllabus

WHAT YOU WILL BE LEARNING

Business and Communication Systems gives students the opportunity to develop a knowledge and understanding of office organisation and environment. The course is very practical in nature and students are required to use business software to solve office related problems in a variety of contexts. Communication skills are developed as students compose appropriate responses to business problems from given outline information. (The use of word processing, database, spreadsheet and desk-top publishing packages is central to this course)

The themes making up the subject content are:

• Workplace
• Organisation
• Human Resources
• Communications
• The use of ICT in the business environment
• File Management
• Page Design
• Word Processing
• Spreadsheets
• Databases
• Charts
• Graphics and Clip Art
• Composition, Organisation and Design

HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED

Students complete one theory paper and one practical paper:

Paper 1: Theory paper (33%) (1hour)

This paper consists of a short answer test with some extended writing, covering all aspects of the subject content.

Paper 2 Practical paper (67%) (2 hours)

This paper requires students to complete between 4 and 7 practical tasks using appropriate computer software.

Entry - there are 2 tiers of entry for the examination:

Foundation tier - students can expect to achieve grades C - G

Higher tier - students can expect to achieve grades A* - D

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Business and Communication Systems provides students with a sound grounding in the main computer applications used in business today. The course develops skills which may be used in secretarial, administrative and management positions.